Standard Bank Group has picked Dr Joshua Oigara as its new Regional Chief Executive (RCE) for East Africa, marking a pivotal move in its plan to deepen its footprint across the region.
The appointment, effective September 1, 2025, is subject to regulatory approval and signals the lender’s intention to leverage Oigara’s vast experience in regional banking to accelerate its East Africa ambitions.
Oigara, who has been Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Kenya since December 2022, will now double up as RCE while retaining his Kenya role.
His dual mandate places him at the centre of Standard Bank’s strategy to strengthen regional franchises and drive cross-border growth.
Oigara is no stranger to steering regional operations as he previously led one of East Africa’s largest banks, giving him first-hand experience in navigating both market opportunities and regulatory complexities across borders.
Read More
Over the years, he has built a reputation as a transformational leader, from championing banking digitisation and financial inclusion to forging strong partnerships with regulators and industry players.
As a two-term Chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association Governing Council, Oigara helped shape policies that advanced stability, inclusivity, and efficiency in the financial sector.
Beyond banking, his advisory roles in Vision 2030 Delivery Board and regional economic projects reflect a track record that blends industry leadership with national development.
In 2022, the Financial Times named him among Africa’s top 25 leaders, citing his impact in reshaping the continent’s banking landscape.
Oigara takes over the East Africa brief from Patrick Mweheire, who concludes his five-year tenure as RCE on August 31, 2025.
Mweheire, who also serves as Chief Executive of Stanbic Kenya Holdings, will remain a senior executive within Standard Bank Group.
He has been credited with growing the East African franchise into the Group’s second most profitable regional hub, while also nurturing multinational and regional client relationships.
Standard Bank hailed Mweheire for his “exemplary leadership” and “meticulous work in building a strong and enviable franchise,” noting that his expertise will continue to be tapped within the Group.
East Africa has become a fiercely competitive banking battleground, with major regional and pan-African players racing for market share.
Standard Bank’s decision to hand Oigara the reins underscores its intent to double down on digitisation, customer growth, and regional integration as levers for expansion.
For Oigara, the new role offers a chance to extend his influence beyond Kenya and shape Standard Bank’s next growth chapter across East Africa’s fast-evolving financial markets.
